REVIEWS

PHANTOM

"An extraordinary actor and singer... Possessing one of the most beautiful male voices ever heard in musical theater today, Swarner takes hold of the many songs (Maury) Yeston has created for his character and puts his own personal stamp on every one of them. There is beauty and passion in his voice... it's impossible not to be moved or shaken." - James V. Ruocco, From the Desk of Jim R.

​"His voice is so strong and acting so convincing that the character completely comes alive, behind the mask he wears, selling every line and lyric." - Sean Fallon, Broadway World - Connecticut

"Swarner has a terrific voice... This actor is able to draw all the empathy from the character's sadness, and his portrayal of the Phantom (Erik) is very moving." - Zander Opper, Talkin' Broadway

THE PIRATE QUEEN

"He has a beautiful voice and excellent technical control of it. I could probably listen to him sing the phone book. Mr. Swarner brought strong intensity and urgency to the part... His presence filled the stage, and so did his voice." - Joel Gerard, The Column Online

"Mr. Swarner again proves why he is one of the finest leading men in DFW. He easily had the best number of the night... using that booming tenor voice, he soared vocally." - John Garcia, The Column Online

"Max Swarner gives the unfortunately named Evelyn an unexpected boyish charm as he raises the bar on naiveté to stratospheric levels. He also has the best voice on the stage." - Gregory Sullivan Isaacs, Theater Jones

"The polished and seemingly effortless way that Swarner carries the bemused yet sophisticated character throughout his relationship issues in the story is a study in solid acting." - Joel Taylor, The Column Online

GODSPELL

"Max Swarner's warm, accessible Jesus is bright with hope at the start, explosive later with hypocrites, vulnerable at the anticipation of his fate, and tender as he bids individualized farewells to his disciples... When Swarner wraps his eloquent voice around the haunting 'Beautiful City,' it becomes apparent that this has been the goal from the beginning, to push souls sparring in a ravaged world into working together for something lovely and lasting." - Nancy Churnin, The Dallas Morning News

"Jesus appears from above... embodied by a blue-eyed, radiantly smiling Max Swarner. Swarner's true tenor voice is calm and reassuring... Swarner's Jesus demonstrates he can gyrate with the best of his disciples when the beat calls for it... The show achieves quiet closure with the heartfelt 'Beautiful City,' Swarner's face radiant with hope..." - Martha Heimberg, Theater Jones

"Max Swarner was superb... Swarner shows real emotion in the hours leading up to Jesus' death, and the audience can see tears glistening not only in his eyes but also on his cheeks in 'Beautiful City.' Swarner's vocals bring chills..." - Angela Newby, The Column Online

WEST SIDE STORY

"Max Swarner's portrayal of Tony was one of the most beautiful and touching performances I've seen of that role. His approach to the character arc and raw emotion were powerful, vivid, and strong, with unbreakable connection of acting craft to the subtext. But that singing voice! The music for Tony is impossibly high, and Swarner went for those notes with such gusting force and not a single break or crack. He made all of his solos become the stand-out showstoppers all evening long." - John Garcia, The Column Online

I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE

"For the past three years, a well-known, award-winning Dallas actor has filled the many roles of one of the two men, and it doesn't get any better than this. The multiple parts could have been written for Max Swarner, who never ceases to amaze audiences with his broad range and heavenly voice." - Shari Goldstein Stern, White Rock Lake Weekly

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

"The casting is superb. Max Swarner glowers entertainingly as Egerman's son, in love with his young stepmother." - Lawson Taitte, The Dallas Morning News

"Max Swarner adds a variety of levels to Henrik so that the audience can see the emotional anguish Henrik experiences... The anguish and frustration that the character often seems to feel is evident through his voice, eyes, face, and physicality." - Joel Taylor, The Column Online

"Max Swarner takes you on a ride of pure perfection in his portrayal of the anguished Henrik. His vocals, physical expressions and line delivery were superbly done and left you with a deep knowledge of the character." - Richard S. Blake, The Column Online

1776

"Max Swarner ends the first act on a poignant note as the young courier remembering his friends' deaths in battle." - Lawson Taitte, The Dallas Morning News

"The 100-minute first act closes with the most haunting solo, 'Momma Look Sharp...' Max Swarner shows off his stunning tenor voice and considerable depth as an actor playing the nameless courier..." - Elaine Liner, Dallas Observer

"...a pensive, exquisitely-voiced performance of 'Momma, Look Sharp' by Max Swarner as the exhausted courier on an almost bare stage while Congress is in recess." - Alexandra Bonifield, Critical Rant

"Max Swarner predictably nails the song, commanding the stage with a heartbreaking and superb-sounding interpretation of a dying soldier whose mother is frantically searching the battlefields for his body." - Lindsey Wilson, D Magazine

SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET

"Swarner's voice could melt what's left of the polar ice caps... Other highlights: Swarner singing and acting the yearning of the lilting 'Johanna...'" - Elaine Liner, Dallas Observer